What a GREAT Week! June 13, 2011

Haha! What a great week!! What else is there to say! The baptism of  Mateus and Emerson was on Saturday and I was able to go into the font for the first time in my mission. Some of the other Elders said that it took them 3 or 4 different times to get the blessing right. I was blessed, I got in there and well, everything just came out as if I didn't even say it. I love it when that spirit works through you. It just feels as if heaven is all around me. The boys got confirmed yesterday, and I was also able to assist in giving Nicolas the Melchizedek Priesthood. This was so great, I have been blessed to have done so much with this family and now I may get to go through the temple with them.   Father in Heaven has blessed me so much, now I just have to work harder. We have another baptism in 2 weeks, a girl who's parents are inactive, I don't know why... they have such strong testimonies.  The kids showed up to church yesterday without the parents, we are hoping that this baptism will help them to get to church.

It sounds like everyone is having fun. We are going to have a lot to do when I get back, so no more summer school Gid!! haha! I forgot the cord for my camera... so I'll have to send pictures next week. I love you all, thank you for your support!

Love Elder Gomm

 

Just Laugh and Smile, It's just a trail....June 6, 2011

All is well, I didn't have much time on the computer last week and I have to take a few more pictures. Sorry I don't have any this week.

Well this week has been freezing... and the humidity makes it 10 times worse... I'm freezing, I bought some thermals so hopeful it will be a little bit better now.

My new companion is Elder Wilson, he is a good guy from Kansas I  don't know where though. Elder Wilson has had 10 changes in the mission and is helping me get out of my shy guy kind of click, not saying that I was ever in one... haha.

Something that I have learned more about is patience, man do I really need to work on that. Patience is really funny its really hard to truly master it.  Some people are great at using it, but I don't think anyone, besides Christ, has mastered patience. One thing that has helped me was laughing and smiling, and boy do those two things work well. If you are ever in a depressing mood just laugh, if a trail of adversity is looking you in the face just laugh.

We are going to have two more baptisms on the 11th and I'm getting really excited. Mateus(10) and Emerson(8) are two brothers that are getting baptized.  They are the nephews to my first convert, Maria, and they recently lost their mom. They really want to get baptized so that they can live with her again some day. My heart is running around these boys, they really are needing this. They live with their grandparents right now, who have been inactive for 20 years now... that is some time, the grandma wants to come back to church, but the grandpa doesn't want to have anything to do with us. The abuela (grandmother) went to her daughters baptism and decided to come back... home.

 

We had stake conference yesterday and the esposo (husband) of Maria was getting the Melchizedek Priesthood. I was crying like a baby because we have done so much with this family... and now he will be able to use the power of our loving and eternal Father in Heaven. He will be baptizing Mateus and Emerson has asked me to baptise him... I'm just tearing up now... I love this family so much. I hope I  will be able to see them go through the temple in a year... Glory be to my God, now and forever!

 I love you all so very much,

Elder Timothy V. Gomm

May 30, 2011 No Email

We didn't hear from Elder Gomm this week. We pray for him and hope all is well.

We look forward to next Monday and hearing more from him.

May 24, 2011 Zone Meeting and Transfers

PHOTOS!!!

 Elder Gomm and Elder Ferrin

 These are some TALL bamboo

We had some fun with bamboo at a members house after lunch.

 Searching for the good fruit .....It can be found through Jesus Christ.

 We were at a members house at lunch and enjoys the fruits from their trees.

Our zone at this transfer in Tacuarembo!

Now for this weeks letter! Mom, please tell the Atkinson family that they have my love and prayers and that God our eternal Father has and will always be there with them.

Death is just another step of this life. We all have died already, spiritual death and we all must suffer physical death. We can't see death as a black ship with black sails, instead think of it as a a ship that is leaving over the horizon, and we may think well there they goes, but you have to remember the other ones the other side of the sea say, Look!! Here they Comes!! I wish I could put all my knowledge and feelings into words, but as you all know I am not good with writing, I speak a lot better then I write. God gives us challenges that we can handle to help us in this life and the next. We will all be together after this life. This life is just but a chapter in our books of eternity. Faith, Hope and Charity are the three keys to having peace and joy in this life and the next.

 I cant believe that Malorie is Graduating... gosh, I'm getting old... it is really crazy to think of everything that has changed in my life when I stepped on that plane... I would never take it back though, I have learned so much. I am a new person. We have so much to learn in this life and so little of time...

 To my friends and family, look unto the lord with all your heart, might, and strength, it is only through him can we have peace and joy, bliss and happiness. I have a question for all of you, what is the point? What is the point of life if there is no change, if there is no death? What is the point to the atonement if we don't take and use it? What is the point of Christ`s death if we don't use what we have been given? What is the point of trials if we don't apply and learn? So what is the point? Search these questions, ponder the answers and then ask God if these answers are true, if you don't get an answer, keep pondering.  I love you all so very much. you will be blessed if you seek the Lord our God.

This is the area of Tacuarembo Uruguay where I am serving right now.

Ok so transfers are this week, and.....(drum roll).... I'm staying here!!!! WOOH!!!! My new companion is coming on the bus and will be arriving at 4:30 tomorrow morning!!

Man, I wish so much that I can just give you all my feelings. Know that I love you all so very much! la voluntad de Dios es hacer siempre (Always have the will of God). And remember TRUST is the love of all love. May God be with you all, don't lose sight of our eternal goal.

Love always and forever,

Elder Timothy V. Gomm

May 15, 2011 Sacrifice All that ye have.

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive and freezing in the humidity down here in Uruguay! Its amazing how much humidity can effect the weather and temperature. I have learned a lot here on my mission... especially about sacrifice.. sometimes its really hard. We as missionaries are telling people to sacrifice those things that keep them from the Lord. The people here need jobs they have so many needs, but I've seen so many who's lives have change so greatly by following the Lord, Jesus Christ! So what is sacrifice? To me its giving the Lord whatever He requires of our time, earthly possessions, talents, strengths and abilities to further His work. The Apostle Paul taught, that we must become living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Now how can we be living sacrifices? To me that didn't make sense. But this is what I and learning, to be a living sacrifice is to be willing to give EVERYTHING we have to the Lord, to build the Kingdom of God upon this earth. Many of us who have a very hard time thinking about this. Isn't just obeying the commandments good enough? There is a parable of a young rich man who asked the savior, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" and Jesus answered,"Thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, etc."and the rich man said,"All these have I kept from my youth." then when Jesus heard this, He said," Yet thou lackest one thing; sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me." The young rich man was a good man, but when he was put to the test, he was not willing to sacrifice his worldly possessions... Are we ready to be put to the test? If Christ came to us right now, would we be ready? The Lord's Apostles, Peter and Andrew, were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the kingdom of God. "Follow me... they straightway left their nets, and followed Him" (Matthew 4:19-20).  Like the disciples we could offer our daily activities as a sacrifice to the Lord, by reading the scripture and going to church, by doing the simple things that have been placed right in front of us! It is hard to let some things go, trust me I know... I have let everything that I held dear to my heart go...but it is only through sacrifice that we can become more like our Father in Heaven. We need to be like Abraham of old and say,"thy will be Done" But there is a promise that we have that comes from the Lord, "everyone that have forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father,or mother, or land, for my names sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life."( Matthew 19:29) It is hard at time to give up what we love for the Lord but we can do it! We have the Lord on our side. I love you all so very much, have Faith!

Always and Forever,

Elder Timothy V. Gomm

 May 2011 Tacuarembo Uruguay

Elder Gomm a servent of the Lord

Get Back To Work May 9, 2011

 During our Mothers Day call

Hey!!! Now starts a new chapter of my mission! I have now finished the beginning and now I'm headed for the climax of the story of my mission. It was great to hear everyone´s voices last night!! I just wish I had more time. Even though it was short it was sorely needed. Well, I now have to work a little bit harder, so I can get as many of God's children as I can to be able to receive the same ordinances that I have. I don't have to much time left if I want the entire country of Uruguay to be converted! I need to get started! So yeah, I'm going to have to go running with Gid and Mal after my mission! We´ll see who can run the Race for a Cure 5k in 21 minutes!!! Huh Gid?! haha! Its great to hear that everyone is ok. I didn't get to hear everyone´s voice but you know that's ok, Christmas will be coming around the corner soon!

 Ok I cant start getting trunky now!!! Time to get back to work!

 I love you all!!

Elder Gomm

After our Mothers Day Call!

 

May 8th 2011 Mother's Day Call

Mothers Day is one of those special days for a mom of a missionary. We get about 45-60 minutes to talk to our missionary children on the telephone.  So on Sunday May 8th at 5pm Idaho time we called Elder Gomm in Uruguay.  It was 8pm in Uruguay for Elder Gomm, our call began like this: 

Elder Gomm: Hola,
Momma Gomm:  Elder Gomm?
Elder Gomm:  Momma!

Oh it was so special. We as a family gathered around the table  before we called and wrote a list of questions we wanted to hear him tell us about.  Here are some of the questions we had him tell us about.

What is the weather like?  It is rainy, we are getting into the winter season and it is getting colder.  I think I am going to have to buy a warmer coat.

What is your house like?  My companion and I live alone in a small one bedroom house. It has tile floors so we put blankets on the floor to keep our feet alittle warmer.

Earlier in your mission you sent home a picture of a BBQ, What were they cooking?  Oh that was beef ribs they were huge slabs of ribs.  The meat here is really good.

When did you get your travel Visa?  We got our travel visa's when we were leaving Argentina to come to Uruguay.

Did you get your Easter packages?  Yes, they both got here without any problems.  Thanks for the sunflower seeds.

What time do you get up in the mornings?  We get up at 6:15am and run or do some kind of exercise.

What do you do on your p days?  Well we do our housework, clean and do some shopping.  Then we wash our underclothing in buckets.  There are sister here from the ward that does our other laundry. We go to the main area of town and they have these shops with computers that we pay to email our family.

Do you have water in your house?  Yes and it is running water.  We also have a small water heater so we get short warm showers. 

Do you filter your drinking water?  Well we are suppose to, but we don't  do it because it takes to much time. 

Tell us about your Mission President?  President Heaton and Sister Heaton are great.  I think they were from the Rexburg Idaho area.  He served his mission here in Uruguay when he was younger.

Milk, do you drink Yaks milk?   Ha Ha, no we drink cows milk, we don't get it very often.  Yesterday a member brought us some fresh milk.  It is really good.

Then we took time to talk to him individually as his parents. He sounds like he is doing great.  Toms call got cut off because of time.  A few minutes after the call the phone rang and it was Timothy calling to tell dad he loved him because their call was cut off.

Can't wait to talk to him again in December at Christmas time!